Orange UK responds to iPhone data plan criticisms
updated 12:25 pm EST, Wed November 4, 2009
Calls 750MB more than enough
Orange UK has begun publicly responding to criticisms of its upcoming iPhone plans. At the center of complaints is the company's unlimited data provision, attached to each iPhone subscription. In reality data use is restricted by a 750MB "fair usage" policy, in sharp contrast to other iPhone carriers, such as O2 UK and AT&T.
A member of Orange's communications team, Conor Maples, insists that 750MB is far more than most iPhone users are likely to use. "We have had iPhone in other European countries for a while now & research shows the average user uses less than 200mb per month," Maples claims via Twitter. "750MB is actually quite a lot of Mobile Data too - it's about 5 hours of video downloaded from YouTube, 75,000 mobile web pages or 30,000 normal web pages....it's 250 full music tracks (if an average a track is about 3mb) or 1500 mobile games."
The carrier may eventually be pressured into raising limits, as it will have to compete with genuinely unlimited data at O2, and the forthcoming threat of Vodafone.
Maples has meanwhile attempted to quiet concerns that official terms and conditions could block apps such as Facebook and Spotify. "I can confirm that popular streaming services will not be banned for iPhone users," he adds. Orange will begin selling the iPhone on November 10th.
Tracks
11/04, 01:18pm reply
Are not 3MB... try more like 10MB with 256 kbps. This would seriously curtail streaming video or audio such as from Wunder Radio or XM/Sirius. Also downloading free podcasts can get data heavy... anyone want to check their last bill for data usage and see what you got?
jayparry
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2005
Orange UK dirt for the eye
11/04, 01:34pm reply
My Vodafone PT plan is only 500MB... And for what the iPhone can do, it just sucks!!! But here in my country is the better you can get.
Yes 200Mb average is Ok for a Nokia N95 and not for an iPhone. If someone use just 200Mb is because is using wireless or just use 3G for browse some few internet websites and receive and send some personal e-mail. But is not enough for use it for a little streaming, a more intense internet use, for tethering and use other functions without fear of be overcharge.
So if you want to limit the data plans, just do it, but don't throw dirt for the eyes... Just tired of this steal. Hope soon EU do something about this limits all over Europe.
IxOsX
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2009
Hmm...
11/04, 03:05pm reply
I have trouble using more than 20MB per month. Of course I don't listen to streaming audio all day away from home or work, where I have WiFi.
More than 750MB seems like the exception rather than rule.
hayesk
Professional Poster
Joined: Sep 1999
Idiot
11/04, 03:37pm reply
I don't know where Conor Maples gets his information. I think the guy must simply be an idiot. It's nice to see that idiots can still function effectively in society and that considerate phone companies will employ them, quite frequently it appears.
Feathers
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 1999
350MB/month here
11/05, 05:58am reply
Since purchasing my 3GS in June, I have downloaded 1.6GB, which is about 350MB per month. I certainly don't consider myself to be a heavy user, e.g. no streaming, no iTunes purchases, no tethering. Just RSS reader, browsing and a little email about 5 hours a week on trains, plus calendar sync.
I think 750MB is too low for a heavy user.
But anyway, if Orange say the average is 200MB, and they are prepared for everyone to have 750MB, why bother capping at all? The really big users would be offset by the average user, no?
Dez
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2002
IM?
11/05, 06:35am reply
"I can confirm that popular streaming services will not be banned for iPhone users,"
Note the absence of a statement confirming instant messaging clients will not be banned...
Jemster
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2009